Well, after missing out August's venerable submissions, I thought I better put digit to keyboard and do this month's before it becomes history. Some bright spark suggested I could easily access August on the website, and this is true. Who knows, I might get around to doing it one day. As the sign says: Free Beer, Tomorrow.
I thought it would be nice to see something about actually making photographs during these turbulent times, what with a few bouts of bad language and the odd off-topic post (and I'm guilty of that, too ;-) not to mention the list going down for a short while the other day. Some of us thought that poor Doug Brewer had had enough and pulled the plug! Funny how one doesn't realise the value place on something until it's gone. Right, straight to it. Usual disclaimers. I'll gloat over the ones that jump out of the screen at me, grab me by the lapels and slap me in the face. It goes without saying that they're *all* good. I simply don't have the time to comment on them all (I'm off to work in just over an hour, and that's barely time to do these: Kite Girl Pat White Lovely pic, great composition. Tells the story, don't it? Nice one, Pat. Red Umbrella Gerald Lewis Striking composition verging in the abstract. The white streak reminds me of a dove in flight. Well thought out. Vigeland Park Dan Matyola Interesting image. Lots of ways to read this, I find a strong male presence, reinforced by the phallic structure behind. Difficult to shoot I would imagine, Dan's done very well here. Chair Bob Poe Good rendition of chair detail. I particularly like the abstract shadows formed by the cross-bracing. Well observed with a thoughtful square crop. Nice. Chandos Dan Mills Nice monochrome study in form with this view of a balcony with its ornate pillars, and the bush that grows in front. Exposure was tricky, with plenty of direct sunlight and deep shade to contend with. Dan has coped well and the shot is a good one. Cape Buffalo Danie Nel Stunning wildlife shot of this buffalo, his horns curling right around and giving the image a defining shape that guides your eye right back to his face. Echoed behind by a softer horn. Exposure has been pushed in favour of the highlights, but this doesn't detract too much, the shadows containing sinister undertones to the overall feel. Beautiful photograph, Danie. Super! So Young, Yet Already Lost in Thought Melchi Manoah Michel Pleasing study of young innocence with this small girl gazing into her future. The wire door adds a stark and gritty balance to this purest of images, the soft and gentle repose. The crop may be tight for some, but the face is the important bit and that is spot-on. Very nice indeed. Massi is a Stroke Albano Garcia Once again, Albano illustrates his abilities as a photographer extraordinary. This stylish example (of one of Albano's friends) proves that there's nothing ordinary about it: vast swathes of area behind are bleached out. The subject rests uneasily to one side, looking 'the wrong way' (one might normally have the poser looking into the frame). These 'rules' are unashamedly broken, yet the image works. Why? That's for you to decide. Sensational imagery. It's time you had an exhibition, my lad! My runner up for this month. Boy Zhang Min Serene portrait of a young oriental lad clutching a rather large hat. Wonderful muted colours lead the scene here, the textures of stone and wood satisfy easily, the intent gaze of those eyes into the lens instil curiosity. A tight crop again, perhaps the nice round echo of the hat in the large oval stone behind could add if allowed a bit more room. Lovely shot. Waiting for the Palio Gianfranco Harsh brick wall draped with rugs and stains is interrupted by gentle beauty of a young girl framed in a window. Nice work as always from a real Pentax trooper. Jimmy and his Mom Paul Stenquist Great capture of a private moment between mother and child. Interesting custom framing adds novelty to this superb black and white shot. Works for me! Haircut William Johnson The eyes have it! What a cute little face. Good tonality, contrast in this attention-grabbing image. No Title G Fenstermacher Lit by a porch light, the photographer has produced a well-observed rendition of a simple leaf in monochrome. A very striking image, stands up to much scrutiny. If I didn't know it was a porch, I'd swear it was a studio shot with hours of preparation. Nice. More Reeds Ken Waller Gentle abstract of a few reeds with reflections. This shot reminds me of neuvelle cuisine in that it doesn't appear to be much, but the taste is there to savour. Minimal content with maximum effect. I can see this on a bare white wall, 6 feet by 9, and costing several thousands of dollars for the privilege! Beautiful and pleasing. Skyey Wavelets Petr Pazour Stunning landscape, or rather skyscape, featuring streaking cloud formations. The title put me off, but when the image opened, I was pretty impressed, to say the least. The colour rendition is outstanding, the clouds themselves a wonderfully mesmerising collection, and the brief swathe of land at the bottom completes the image. A very very well observed work. My pic of the month. Congrats! Painted Hills Harold Rust Fascinating hills, they look so smooth, like freshly shaved cheeks! Nice light here for Harold as he returns again to better himself. Truly amazing landscape. Night in Shanghai Arthur Xu Extremely well done night shot of the Shanghai skyline from the water front. Beautiful colours and shapes. Stunning. That's it for this month. All the shots were well executed, and a big thanks for everyone that contributed. Let's see some more next month! Cheers, Cotty ____________________________________ Oh swipe me! He paints with light! http://www.macads.co.uk/snaps/ ____________________________________ Free UK Macintosh Classified Ads at http://www.macads.co.uk/ ____________________________________
